Can body forming machine



Oct. 10, 1944. w. E. ROONEY 2,359,795

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed Oct. 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

waa aw ZXWMW AT TO E N E'YS .Oc t. 10, 1944. w RQQNEY 2,359,795

CAN BODY FORMING MACHINE Filed 061;. 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOENFYS Patented Oct. 10, 1944 2,359,195 can BODY FORMING MACHINE Walter E. Rooney, Bellingham, Wash, assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 25, 1941, Serial No. 416,580

6Glaims.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for shaping relatively fiat can bodies into Open tubular form and has particular reference to an apparatus for holding the flat body and filling it with air under pressure as an incident to reshaping the body into its desired tubular form.

.The invention contemplates the reforming of previously flattened can bodies or the final shaping of can bodies which have been formed relatively fiat as where th bodies are to be shipped before the bottom end is applied. Such reforming or shaping is done without an-inside mandrel by the combined use of compressed air on the inside and forming molds which move in and surround th can body from the outside. By dispensing with an inside mandrel, fiat or flattened can bodies having an inside enamel or other coating can be finally shaped without scratching or otherwise disturbing the coating.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a can body shaping apparatus which receives a. flat open ended body and fills it with air under pressure so that the flat form is converted into cylindrical or other tubular shape.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the class described having forming molds for surrounding the flat body while it is expanded by internal air pressure so that the curved edges of the fiat body are ironed out and the body wall is transformed into a uniformly smooth tubular body.

Yet another object is the provision of a fiat body reforming machine having body engaging heads for holding the body as its open ends while air is introduced into the interior of the body and while the body is formed further by surrounding forming molds, such an apparatus also having air valve control for first introducing the compressed air into the end of the fiat body at.

a position removed from the center and after the fiat body has been expanded for closing 011 the first air means and for then applying the air at the center of the body as the air and the forming molds iron out and make smooth the body wall.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus operable at high speed for operating on a succession of fiat can bodies to reshape the flat body into cylindrical form by the combined use of compressed air applied to the inside of the body and of forming molds effective on the outside of the body.

Numerous otherobiects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, 55 the magazine and provide guides for a stack taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional plan view of an apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 in Fig. 1 and showing a flat can body in position at the beginning of the reforming operation;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan sectional detail taken substantially along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the parts illustrated in Fig. 3 as viewed from a position below that figure;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the can body at the completion of the forming operation;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the broken line 1-1 in'Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional detail taken substantially along the line 88 in Fig. 1;

Figs. 9 and 10 are plan sectional views similar to Fig. 1 but showing only that portion of the apparatus which is situated at the right and is in the center of that figuraFigs. -9 and 10 illustrating difierent positions of certain working parts; and

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the broken line ll-ll in Fig. 9.

The working parts of the shaping or forming apparatus embodying the present invention are contained for the most part within a two-part housing consisting of a base 2| (Figs. 1 and 2) and a cover 22. These two members are substantially square in plan section and are secured together at intervals .by bolts 23.

At the center the cover housing 22 (Fig. 2) is formed with an opening 24 through which flat can bodies a having oppositely curved or rounded edges b are introduced into the machine. Directly beneath this position, the base 2| (see also Fig. 6) is formed with an opening 25 through which reshaped or fully formed bodies 0 are discharged from the machine.

A magazine A (Figs. 2- and 6) is mounted upon the cover housing 22 and extends down through the opening 24. Such a magazine comprises side plates 3| (see also Figs. 3 and 4) which are formed with inwardly projecting ledges 32. Ledges 32 are arranged in the four corners of of the substantially flat can bodies a The ledges 32 are extended down below the bottom of the side walls 3| in four stationary arms 35 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) and each arm terminates in an inwardly projecting shelf or support finger 36. The shelf 36 is located just below the parting line of the housing members 2|, 22. This shelf support determines the position of a can body during reshaping.

Provision is made for separating the lowermost flat body a from the stack of bodies in the magazine A. For this purpose cut-out devices are carried in part in the magazine and these devices support the entire stack at all times.

A pair of horizontal shafts 4| (see also Fig. 6) are carried in the side walls 3| of the magazine. Each shaft extends across one side of the magazine and between two of the ledges 32 on that side. The shafts are journaled for rotation in the spaced ledges.

Each shaft 4| carries a pair of starwheels 42 which are formed with sharp projecting teeth which project along the inner side into the magazine and beyond the inner wall of the adjacent ledge 32. Each ledge 32 is slotted as at 43 (Figs. 3 and 5) for the reception of an associated starwheel. Thus there are four starwheels and their teeth projecting into the magazine at the four corners provide support for the stack of fiat bodies a.

The two shafts 4| rotate intermittently partially so that the projecting teeth of the four starwheels move down in unison. The entire stack of bodies is lowered with each such partial rotation. This rotation of the starwheels acts to cut out or separate the lowermost body it within the magazine and at the same time the remaining bodies in the stack are supported by other teeth of the starwheels.

The tWo shafts 4| are geared for uniform'movement. One shaft 4| carries a gear 45 which is located just outside of one of the side walls 3| of the magazine. The other shaft 4| carries a gear 46 which likewise is located outside of the same side wall. Intermediate meshing gears 41 are rotatably mounted on studs 48 threadedly secured in the side wall 3|. These gears 41 in turn separately mesh with gears 45 and 46 so that as the right-hand shaft 4| (Fig. 4), for example, turns in a counter-clockwise direction, the left-hand shaft 4| turns the same distance in a clockwise movement.

Provision is made for intermittently moving the shafts. For such purpose the gear 46, which is located upon the right-hand shaft 4|, preferably is formed as an integral part of a ratchet wheel 5|. A pawl finger 52 which is formed on one end of a rod 53, engages against a tooth of the ratchet wheel 5|, as best illustrated in Fig. 4, and when the rod 53 is moved toward the left, this movement being equal to the length of one ratchet tooth, the shaft 4| is rotated counterclockwise the distance of one ratchet wheel tooth.

The rod 53 reciprocates back and forth and on its rearward stroke (toward the right in Fig. 4), the pawl end 52 slides back over the tooth of the ratchet wheel and engages into the next tooth. The opposite end of the rod.53 is conried on a bracket 68 (Fig. 7) which is mounted on the base housing 2|. The crank shaft 56'is journaled in bearings 1| (Fig. 1) mounted on the base 2|. This shaft at the end-opposite to the eccentric 55 carries a bevel gear 12 which meshes with and receives rotation from a pinion 13 carried by the drive shaft 65. In this manner the crank shaft 56 is rotated continuously during operation of the machine.

A second crank shaft 15, which is a substantial duplicate of crank shaft 56, is mounted on the opposite side of the machine and is carried in bearings 16 mounted on the base 2|. The shaft 15 is geared to the drive shaft 65 so that its rotation is in unison with the rotation of the crank shaft 56. For this p p se shaft 15 carries a bevel gear 11 which meshes with and is rotated by a pinion 18 carried on the drive shaft 65.

As the shafts 4| in the bottom of the magazine A move to release the lowermost can body a from the bottom of the stack the separated body drops down upon the support fingers 36. It will be observed by reference to Fig. 2 that the curved edges b of the can body rest upon the support fingers so that the can body when in this dropped position is supported at its rounded edges.

Provision is made for clamping the flat can body in position on the support fingers 36. For this purpose clamping fingers or arms 8| (Figs. 1, 2 and 6) are designed to cooperate with the support ledges 36 to hold a can body in clamped position. Two of the clampingfingers 8| are mounted upon a horizontal shaft 82 (at the right in Fig. 2) and two other fingers (at the left) are mounted upon a. horizontal shaft 83. The shaft 82 is journaled in brackets 85 supported upon the base 2| of the machine. In like manner shaft 83 is journaled in bearings 86 which are also carried by the base.

The two shafts 82, 83 are interconnected for uniform oscillation and are moved in opposite directions. At the time a can body a is separated from the stack within the magazine and when it falls to the supporting ledges 36, the fingers 8| are in raised position and out of the path of travel of the falling body.

After the body has come to rest upon the support fingers, the shafts 82, 83 oscillate in unison so that the fingers 8| carried on the shaft 82 are moved in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2) to bring a projecting end 81 of the finger down into the interior of the magazine space and on top of the positioned can body just above its curved edge b. At the same time the fingers 8| on the shaft 83 move in a clockwise direction so that their projecting ends 81 move down into clamping position on the can body along its opposite curved edge. These fingers hold the can body preparatory to the reshaping operation.

The shaft 82 (Figs. 1 and '7) carries an arm 9| the outer end of which is pivotally connected at 92 to a connecting rod 93. In like manner the shaft 83 carries an arm 94 which is pivotally connected at 95 to the opposite end of the connecting rod 93. This linkage insures uniform oscillation of the shafts 82, 83, the position of the links being such as to provide for opposite rocking movement as will be evident.

The shaft 83 also carries an arm 96 which is pivotally connected at 91 to a connecting rod 98. The opposite end of the rod 98 is connected to an eccentric strap |8| which is mounted on and operates with an eccentric I82 keyed to the shaft 16. This insures timed action of the clamping fingers 8|.

When a flat can body a is held in clamped position by cooperation of the support fingers 36 and the clamping fingers 8|, the body is disposed between a pair of head members III (Figs. 1 and 9). Each can body head member is formed as a rectangular block (as best illustrated in Fig. 2) which is carried on the inner end of a head sleeve H2. A cap end H3 (see also Fig. 11) is screwed to the end of each sleeve H2. The sleeve H2 is mounted for slight longitudinal movement in a split bearing in the upper end of a bracket H4. The bracket H4 is preferably an integral part of the base 2|.

The cap end I I3 of each head member carries a pair of slide rods H5 which project outwardly and loosely fit within a bracket H6 formed on the base 2I. A compression spring H1 is mounted on each slide rod 5 and is interposed between the outer face of the cap end H3 and the bracket H6. The two springs for each head III have a tendency to press the associated head toward the inside of the magazine A. This provides a yielding means for causing the two head members yieldingly to engage the open ends of the can bodv when it is time to begin the reforming operation.

At the time a can body a first is cut out from the stack in the magazine, the two head members III are in separated position, being held outwardly against the yielding action of the springs H1. This is the position illustrated in Fig. 9. A wedge ring I2I is provided for holding this position. The ring I2I is mounted on the sleeve part H2 of the head member and is interposed between the outer end of the bracket H4 and the cap end H3 of the sleeve.

Ring I2I is adapted for slight rotation on the sleeve and in one position the ring presses outwardly against the cap end of the sleeve to hold its corresponding head III in the outer position of Fig. 9. For this purpose the wedge ring I2I is formed with a projection I22 (Figs. 9 and 10) which in the position of Fig. 9 presses against the head and holds the springs I I1 under compression. The inner or engaged'face of the cap end H3 is formed with a notch I23 which at such a time is out of registry with the projection I22 on the ring.

When the wedge ring sleeve H2 so that its projection I22 moves into alignment with and enters into the slot I23 the springs II1 press the head member parts III, H2 and H3 toward each other and the inner face of the two heads engage the open ends of the can body as in the position of Figs. 1 and 10.

Rotation of the wedge ring I2I is efiected in the following manner. Each wedge ring projects outwardly in an arm I26 which is pivotally connected at I21 to a connecting rod I28 (Figs. 1, 9 and 10). The opposite end of each connecting rod I28 is pivotally connected at I29 to an arm I3I (see also Fig. 8) which is secured to and which projects upwardly from a horizontal shaft I32. Therefore there are two of the arms I3I carried on the shaft I32, one for each of the can body head members. The shaft I32 isljournaled in brackets I33 formed on the base 2 The shaft I32 is oscillated in proper time to rotate the two wedge rings I2I so that the two can body head members III are released from their outwardly held positions and when released clamp the flat can body at its open ends.

m is rotated on the For this purpose the shaft I32 carries an arm I35 which is pivotally connected at I36 to a connecting rod I31. The opposite end of the connecting rod is joined to an eccentric strap I38 which surrounds and is operated by an eccentric I39 carried on the crank shaft 15.

The admission of compressed air into the fiattened can body a is controlled'by a valve mechanism located in part in each head member I I I. Each sleeve H2 is formed with a central bore I45 (Figs. 1 and 9) and a valve member I46 has sliding movement within this passage. The bore I45 is enlarged adjacent to but spaced inwardly from the inner faceof each head member where it provides an air receiving chamber I41. The chamber in each head is in constant communication with a source of compressed air, a nipple I48 (Figs. 2 and 6) being threaded in the bottom of the head and openingat the top into a vertical port I49 cut in the head and joining with the chamber I41. The nipple is connected with an air hose I50 which leads from a suitable source of compressed air.

Near the inner end each valve member I46 (Figs. 1 and 9) is of less diameter as in a connection stem I5I, the inner end of the valve rod constituting a valve head I52. When the two head members III are in separated position as when a flat can body drops from the magazine, the valve rod and valve head are in the relative positions shown by Fig. 9. The valvehead I52 at such a time closes the inner end of the bore I45 and the valve stem I5I extends across the chamber I41. Compressed air is maintained in this chamber at all times during operation of the machine, but owing to the position of the valve now being considered, this air is not allowed to escape from the chamber. 4

Each head III (Figs. 2 and 9) is formed with a pair of horizontal ports I55 which terminate in the inner face of the head. These two ports are in the plane of the axis of the sleeve H2 and are spaced on opposite sides of the center of the head so that they are just inside of the .curved edges 1) of the flattened can body a as it is held in clamped position on the fingers 36. When the heads III move into engagement with the open ends of the flattened can body these ports I55 then are in position at the open ends of the body to lead air into its interior.

Each port I55 connects with a chamber I56 formed in the sleeve H2. The chamber I56 is disposed in the rear of the chamber I41. The connection between ports I55 and the chamber I56 is made by mean of zig-zag or angular passageways I51 cut in the head, a passageway being arranged on each side of the center of each of the heads.

After the heads are in clamping position against the flattened can body, the two valve members I46 are moved back, such a position being illustrated in Fig. 10. vIn this position the valve head I52 still closes the opening in the face of the head member III. The valve stem I5I of each valve member now straddles the space between chambers I41 and I56 so that air passes from the chamber I41 around the stem and into the chamber I56. From this latter chamber the air separates into the two passageways I51 of each head and discharges through the spaced port I55 into the flattened can body.

Thi compressed air entering into the interior of the flattened body from opposite ends thereof quickly expands the body by forcing its flattened side radially outwardly, the curved edges 1) expanding' or opening out as the can body is transformed into a more tubular shape. This action draws the opposite curved edges of the flat body 'inside of and away from the ports I55. Air is can body, further expanding it and bringing it into its finally desired tubular shape. "In the embodiment shown in the drawings this shape is cylindrical, the finished can body c being shown in Fig. 6.

Each valve member I46 extends back and outside of the cap end II3 of the associated head sleeve II2 where it is connected at I 6| (Figs. 9 and 11) to a link I62. The link I62 is pivotally .connected at I63 to the lower arm of a bell crank lever I64. This bell crank lever is mounted for Oscillation on a stud I65 which is carried in the bracket II6.

The upper arm of each bell crank lever I64 is pivotally connected at I66 to a connecting rod I61 (see also Figs. 1 and '1). Each connecting rod I61 is pivotally donnected at I68 to the upper end of an arm I69 which is secured to a horizontal shaft I1I., Shaft "I is journaled in brackets I12 carried on the base 2I. By means of this connection oscillation of the shaft IN i imparted simultaneously to both of the valve members I46 for the two heads III so that the air is introduced into the open ends of the can body as just described.

The shaft I1I i oscillated by connection with the crank shaft 56. For this purpose, shaft I'll carries an arm I15 which is pivotally connected at I16 to a connecting rod I11. The rod I11 is secured to an eccentric strap I18 which surrounds and operates with an eccentric I19 carried by the crank shaft 56.

their respective cranks 20I, 205

ciated shaping mold I85 is supported by a pivot shaft I91 which is carried depending from the cover housing.

As soon as the head members II I are in engagement with the open ends of'the flattened can body a, the shaping mold units I85 move inwardly, the while the can body is expanding under the action of the compressed air. The inward as well as the outward movements of the shaping molds are crank movements, being brought about by the-crank shafts 56 and 15. This feature will now be considered.

The crank shaft 56 is formed with a crank MI and this is located centrally of the housing 2I 22. A split crank head 202 is mounted on the crank 20I and is connected by a connecting bolt 203 to a head block 204. Block 204 extends into the bifurcated head I9I of one of the forming head blocks I81. The head block 204 pivots on the associated shaft I88.

In like manner the crankshaft 15 is formed with a crank 205 and a split crank head 206 is mounted on the crank. This crank head threadedly engages a connecting bolt 201 which is joined to a head block 208. The head block 208 is confined within the bifurcated end I9I of the other forming head block I81, being pivotally mounted on the corresponding shaft I88.'

The shaping molds I85 under the action of move inwardly from the position illustrated in Fig. 2 to the final closed position of Fig. 6. By the time the shaping molds. come together, the can body is in its full tubular form and the curved edges b of the body are ironed out by the combined action of the shaping molds and the compressed air on the inside of the body.

During the time the can body is being reformed from the flattened shape a shown in 'Fig. 2 to thefinal shape 0 in Fig. 6, the body is held between the head members III. These members being pressed against the open ends of the body At the time that air is first introduced into the clamped flattened can body a through the ports I55, a pair of shaping molds I85 (Fig. 2) are in separated position on opposite sides of the body, being in horizontal alignment therewith. Each shaping "mold comprises a semi-circular forming head I86 formed on the inner endof a block I 81. Each block I81 carries an outer horizontal pivot shaft I88 and an inner parallel pivot shaft I89. The outer end of each block is formed with a bifurcated head I 9| (see also Fig. 1) and this head carries the pivot shaft I88. Each shaft I88 projects outwardly beyond the sides of the head and in like manner the pivot shaft I89 projects beyond the walls of the block I81.

The two shaping molds I 85 are supported from above being hung on parallel arms I92 and I93 in such a way as to be movable in a horizontal plane. One pairof arms I92 is pivotally connected at their lower ends to the projecting ends of the shaft I88 of each shaping mold. In like manner a pair of arms I93 is pivotally connected at their lower ends to the projecting shaft I89 of each shaping mold,

Each pair of arms I92 swings on a horizontal pivot shaft I95 which is supported in brackets I96 depending from the top cover housing 22. In like manner each pair of arms I93 for the assounder spring action prevent any displacement of the-body from between the heads. As soon as the flat body is transformed into a more expanded position, its curved edges I) move out from their clamped position on the fingers 36. The clamping arms 8| then move back to withdraw the projecting ends 81 from their position under the magazine. The closing shaping molds also assist in holding the expanded body in proper place during this reforming operation.

After the body has been brought into final shape the shaping molds I separate and the head members III are also separated. This frees the formed body 0 which drops by gravity through the opening 25 at the base of the machine. At such time the body falls into a chute formed by guide rails'2II (Figs. 2 and 6) which are bolted to the base housing 2| and which extend up through the opening 25 in the base. The shaping molds move back into fully separated position and all of the parts are thus restored for reception of the next fiat can body a as it is separated from the magazine.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

in brackets I98 also I-claim:

1. In a machine for reforming flattened tubular can bodies into cylindrical shape, the combination of a magazine for holding a stack of substantially flattened tubular bodies, cut-out devices for separating a said body from the stack of bodies in said magazine to isolate said separated flattened body from said stack for an immediately subsequent reforming operation, a support for holding said separated body by engagement with its oppositely curved edges, means for introducing air under pressure to the inside of the flattened body while so held to radially expand the same, and shaping molds for engaging the outside of the expanded body while it is still under internal pressure to iron out the said curved edges and to form an even tubular can body wall.

2. In a machine for forming tubular can bodies, the combination of a support for holding a substantially flat tubular body by engagement with its opposite curved lateral edges, head members located on opposite ends of the held fiat body for engaging the opposite open ends of the body to close off its interior, means for introducing air under pressure through a said head member into the closed off interior of the flat body to radially expand the same by internal pressure, shaping molds for engaging and surrounding the exterior of the body while it is being thus expanded, and means for moving said shaping molds radially inwardly to maintain the same in continuous engagement with said body while the latter is maintained under internal pressure to iron out the said curved edges and to form an even tubular can body wall.

3. In a machine for forming tubular can bodies, the combination of a magazine for retaining substantially flat bodies in horizontal position and in stacked formation, a support secured to said magazine for holding an individual flat body by engagement with its curved edges, cut-out devices for separating the lowermost body from the stack of bodies in said maganne so that the separated body falls onto said support, clamping fingers cooperating with said support for engaging the supported body at its curved edges, means for introducing air under pressure to the inside of the flat body to expand the same, and shaping molds for engaging the outside of the expanded body while it is still under internal pressure to iron out the said curved edges and to form an even tubular can body wall.

4:. In a machine for reshaping substantially flat bodies having opposite shar 1y curved edges into tubular can bodies, the com ination of head members for engaging the opposite open ends of a flat body to close off its interior, a said head member having a central air passage and a pair of laterally disposed air passages which terminate in the engaging faces of the said members, means for passing air under pressure first through said pair of passages and thereafter through said central passage and into the interior of the engaged body to radially expand the same b internal pressure, shaping molds for engaging the exterior of the body while it is being thus expanded, and means for moving said shaping molds radially inwardly to maintain the same in continuous engagement with said body while the latter is maintained under internal air pressure to iron out the said curved edges and to form an even tubular can body wall.

5. In a machine for reshaping substantially flat bodies having opposite sharply curved edges into tubular can bodies, the combination of head members for engaging the opposite open ends of a flat body to close off its interior, each head member having a central air passage and a pair of air passages which terminate in the engaging faces of the said members, the end of each pair of passages being spaced on opposite sides of the central air passage so that the terminal ends of each' pair are located just inside of the curved edges of the engaged flat body, means for passing air under pressure through said passages and into the interior or the engaged body to expand the same, a valve located in each head for controlling the flow of air so that it issues from said spaced passages when the body is flat and from said central passage as the body is expanding, and shaping molds for engaging the outside of the expanded body while it is still under pressure to iron out the said curved edges and to form an even tubular can body wall.

6. In a machine for forming tubular can bodies, the combination of a support for holding stationary a substantially flat tubular body by engagement with its opposite curved edges, means for introducing air under pressure to the interior of the flat body to expand the same while said body is held substantially stationary on said support, shaping molds for engaging the exterior of the body while it is being thus expanded, and means for moving said shaping molds radially inwardly during the introduction of air into the can body interior to engage the molds with the body wall and to hold the molds against the body while the latter is being altered into tubular shape under the action of the internal air pressure, whereby to iron out the said curved edges and to form an even tubular can body wall.

WALTER E. ROONEY. 

